What was a day at the Roman Colosseum like? - From Tickets to T-Shirt Catapults DOCUMENTARY
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- Опубліковано 11 тра 2024
- What would it be like to spend a day at the Roman Colosseum? #Masterworks - The only investments platform dedicated to art investing: mw-art.co/invicta
In this animated history documentary we continue to explore the great games of ancient Rome. Previous episodes looked at The Rise of the Gladiators and the Naval Gladiator Battles. In this video we see what things were like from the perspective of your everyday Roman with a glimpse of daily life in the past.
The documentary begins by setting the historical scene for the golden age of the gladiators. We discuss the schedule of the games and when these might occur throughout the year. Next we look at the advertising campaigns which publicized the these upcoming spectacles. This included everything from painted billboards, to teaser events, and word of mouth buzz. We then talk about the ancient Roman ticketing system which was used to assign and distribute seating assignments which involved official and blackmarket sales.
The history documentary then recreates a day at the Roman Colosseum. We start in the early morning tail gate where spectators could mingle outside the arena. Here there were many vendors selling food, cushions, gear, and various super-fan items. You could also gamble and perform magic aimed at the matches of the day.
Once the gates were open, you were then to line up at your assigned gate number, present your ticket, and proceed up to your seat. Each section was a reflection of the social order with the elites getting front row views while the masses were relegated to the higher tiers. Here people could not only enjoy the unfolding events but also socialize as with any sporting event today. We then discuss the program of the day which included the opening processions, the beast hunts, the lunch break, and the afternoon gladiator battles. Along the way we talk about the use of shade awnings, misters, t-shirt catapults, and many more details that are strikingly familiar to today.
Sit back and enjoy A Day at the Roman Colosseum! If you like learning about daily life in the past, be sure to check out our How They Did It playlist.
See important Masterworks disclosures: www.masterworks.io/about/disc...
Works Cited/Recommended Reads
The World of Pompeii eds. John Dobbins and Pedar Fross
Ancient Rome on Five Denarii a Day by Peter Matyszak
Popular Culture in Ancient Rome by Jerry Toner
Emperors and Gladiators by Thomas Wiedemann
Life, Death, and Entertainment in the Roman Empire eds. D.S. Potter and D.J. Mattingly
As The Romans Did by Jo-Ann Shelton
The Roman Games by Alison Futrell
The Victor’s Crown by David Potter
The Oxford Handbook of Roman Epigraphy eds. Christer Bruun and Jonathan Edmondson
Credits:
Research: Chris Das Neves
Writing: Chris Das Neves
Artwork: Beverly Johnson
Editing: Penta Limited
#History
#Documentary
I love these episodes on daily life in the past and just how much it reveals about the similarities between then and now. Ticketing, tail gating, betting, socializing, and prizes all mirror our own events though I have to say that the Romans have use beat with those goat riding monkey soldiers! What other aspects of the Roman games should we cover next?
You guys should totally cover Chariot Racing next!
THE GLADIATORIAL SCHOOLS! How do you buy, train and use gladiators?
The types of Gladiators!
@@andreascovano7742 that DOES sound like a cool topic huh 😎
Here's a weird question
Were there anything else in human history like the Gladiator games?
Imagine winning an elephant at the colosseum and try to convince your wife of keeping it.
Bartalus Gets An Elephant
It would definitely bring meaning to "the elephant in the room"
@@optimusprinceps3526 I think I'm gonna have a hard time convincing my elephant in keeping her
Sounds like that stupid job interew question about you getting an elephant :D
The wife is the easy part - you have to convince the elephant too.
Okay the idea of a mom covering her kid's eyes to prevent them from seeing prostitutes or mob violence, but also being totally okay with taking her child to a gladiator match is kind of hilarious.
Why
Moral values, gladitors were just slaves, like pigs slaughter
@@jounik8980 just the irony of it. A gladiator match, even if not particularly lethal as Invicta said in a past video, still has a chance of man or beast being killed brutally.
Think about the stereotype of American media being perfectly ok with Mortal Kombat 11-esque violence but being disgusted with a hint of booba
@@jounik8980 First of all, it was not the same thing. Pigs cannot wield weapons. Romans were not cannibals.. Furthermore the Roman Mothers were training their future would be Romans to have VALUES, but not be soft little bellies like this world has turned into. Balance. Empathy and glory to the Empire. The rest can go bye-bye. Ironically Russia has taken this stance, but… unfortunately their culture is as boring as dead grass .. what’s ironic is they call themselves the third Rome, THAT’S ironic…! But I digress…
@@mrgreenboy644 I thought exactly the same thing and had to think about that time CNN aired a mass shooting video, but censored the f-word for its audience.
Fun fact: the first Kiss Cam was installed in the Collosieum. It was a giant focused bronzed mirror. Unfortunately it only lasted a single day as the poor couple from Capua it found were instantly set afire.
Excuse me, is that a joke? I cant find anything, if its true pls send me some sources, i would love to know about it!
@@ZariguellazulHD yes it is a joke lol
@@Bob-ck4dl Sadge:(
Oh Neptune 🤣
Archemedes would be proud
What is amazing with ancient rome is that it was even greater in reality than in fiction
Ya they had navel battles on land for entertainment lol
Bring back the Sparsiones Missiliums! Fuck a t-shirt, I want an elephant!
Greater? You mean more horrendous? What is great, about innocent human, and animal life, being mercilessly slaughtered. To fulfil greed, and pride?
@@9hk38f Blah blah blah blah blah yes
I'd love to win an elephant or bear.
Invicta, Kings & Generals, Armchair Historian, Hisoria Civilis, and Sandroman.
What a great bunch of content creators, thanks guys!
You need to get on the original, Baz Battles. Then you also have a couple other elites like EpicHistoryTv and HistoryMarche. Also for more flavour follow The WW1day by day channel, but they have changed their name a couple times. Plus World War Two/Timeghost History. As well as Caspian Report for politics.
Extra Credits is good too, just don’t mind the recent controversies they were in. Their history content is way better than their gaming content anyhow.
You forgot dovahhatty :D
I must add “Told in Stone” to your list. He is amazing
@@hamsterbass123 he's awesome
I always adore these closer looks at the lives of the everyday person of the past
True, I watch so I can lie to myself that my life is much better than people had it in the past. :)))
So you can censore this from Lord Guilliman as well, my Lord Inquisitor?
@@giacomoromano8842 lol the lord commander is already well versed in the history of mankind , it would be pointless and heretical to try and deceive him
If you had any modern medicine, used a fridge, a gas or electric stove, been in a car or on a plane, used central heating, electricity your life is already infinitely better than most Roman emperors....
This was quite interesting. I don't think I have ever heard anyone talk about these events in this context, thank you for putting that content out there for us to think about.
This is one of my favorite parts of Invicta. He’s mentioned before that he loves exploring the everyday citizens reaction to big events that were happening, and not just the names known by the history books.
And it’s so much more interesting because I can imagine myself so easily in their shoes, not Caesar’s. These are people exactly like us, just trying to get by and live their lives as best they could.
Check out the podcast Hardcore History by Dan Carlin! Particularly his episode on executions throughout history. "Painfotainment" I think.
I should add- he does a great job of capturing what it would simply *be like* to be there. I like him and Invicta for many of the same reasons.
As someone who has spent quite a bit of time studying gladiators, it's refreshing to see the truth being put out there - as opposed to the more Hollywood notion of things.
Thank you!! We have a ton of fun making these - and the best part is that the stories are often better than Hollywood!
It was really not much different than it is today
@@optimusprinceps3526 as the saying goes, the more things change, the more they stay the same
“As someone with a reddit account”
@@Callmecel Better? How could you use the word better, in reference to such a crime to humanity?
Flirt? Joke? Argue? Eat? Drink? Laugh? Gamble? Belch? Chant? Um. Brawl? I want a ticket. Those are all great.
@@optimusprinceps3526 and fornication
@@Dimitri88888888 clearly the most important bit ;)
@@Callmecel I dunno how I left that out. Definitely have to figure what ancient Roman ticket master is.
Bread and circuses haha. Just get there first? Yaknow. Nothings changed hahaha
Duuuuude so excited for this I loved every second, the sorry about the monkeys fighting while adorning armor and riding goats is hilarious
It would be super awesome to see monkey soldiers in full armor riding goats. However after seeing it a few times it would lose its novelty.
Human gladitators fighting would always be interesting, just like professional football is still interesting even after watching it for 20 years.
Somewhere in Rome during a fight:
"This gladiator match is brought to you by Cato's Salt Shop"
My favorite parts of history are the "some things never change" bits.
I was there! I plan to go back to the Colosseum and film every angle there! This video will be very useful in my work, as always. Thanks‼ ️❤
I'd like to see today's condemded Death Row Inmates fight in Gladiatorial combats, winner's can live to fight on to the next round
@@optimusprinceps3526 oh and of course half of the money made would go to the Victim's Families
@@funfact8660 that sounds horrible!
@@_ee75 How so ?
Damn girl, you look good for 2,000+
So it was basically a Roman Super Bowl. Also, Gladiator bath water, heh.
Got rid of Death Row Inmates fairly quickly
Gladiators: the OG Gamer Girls
@@funfact8660 Inmate implies there's even an incarceration system, which Rome didn't really have. There were some prisons and holding cells but by and large punishments are fines, slavery, or death; wasting money by just housing people didn't seem to be a respectable use of time or money without the modern justifications we have for it.
@@theeccentrictripper3863 on the contrary my good Man, think about the wealth created from such Criminals, War Prisoners, and Political Opponents...not to speak about the countless never ending Gladiatorial combats within the Roman Empires cities, towns and outposts..
@@theeccentrictripper3863 you also forgot confiscation of wealth, as did I....
Actually I found the old-school marketing tactics mentioned in the earlier part of the video (graffiti, paying people to spread rumours or buzz, walking exotic animals around town to spread buzz) really refreshing. In today's Internet world, it's all about digital marketing, email lists, social media, digital noise noise noise. It's really refreshing to see old school physical and social marketing methods that have been used for millilenia.
The boom in historical UA-cam is a dream come true
These videos are the best, when it's about everyday life things of civilian matters. In historical games/arguments it's always about wars and belligerent stuff. But I always loved these aspects, making it feel more immersive than just historical wars
For those interested, Lindybeige did a video (not nearly the quality of this one, but you can't have everything) regarding the mortality of gladiators. He took a year which was known to be particularly bloody and compared the number of deaths to the number of gladiators, the number of matches, the number of matches each one fought in, etc and it came out to be something which wasn't particularly dangerous by modern standards.
Some of the other things he took note of is the difference in length of duels vs gladiatorial matches and uses that as another basis for how deadly it was. Duels tend to be very short affairs whereas the matches took significantly longer, because you aren't trying to kill the other guy before he does the same to you.
Lindybeige also mentions an interesting theory. Most performers have their faces revealed, such as the trope of important people never wear (closed) helmets. Gladiators might have had their extremely large, ornate helmets partially do be able to coordinate with their opponent without the audience being able to see it as their job is primarily to provide a good show, which is much easier if you can take while doing it. This also might have lessened injuries caused by accidents.
A question I have, is if the matches had a bit of the same "I can't believe they did this" you can get when someone knows about what is going on, ie oversized weapons, stupid moves in a fight, poor weapon handling, etc. Like a recent movie I watched decided to try and make city fighting in the Crusades have a machinegun crossbow.
It was likely similar to professional wrestling just with more deaths
Was it that recent ish Robin Hood movie? Oddly I liked it as a historical fantasy film. Not even pretending to be realistic though lol
Fun fact: in the medieval and renaissance times, the Colosseum became a marble cave and then the place where all the poorest of the poor, afflicted, plagued and criminals went to sleep and shelter. Walking in the hallways would have been a death sentence, as the worse hive of scum and villainy would have swarm you for everything you got.
Best video on the games I’ve ever seen! Cool to learn how the events were advertised around town in advance of the big day
I very much agree.
So, pretty much the schedule and logistics for "sporting" events the Colosseum and Circus Maximus are very similar to current day analogues: Stadiums and Race Tracks.
This was one of my favorite videos. Keep up the great content!
Thanks! These daily life videos are by far my favorite to research, write, and produce. Its really important for me to try and humanize history as far too often we follow more abstract trends that lose sight of what this all meant for your average person. Looking forwards to doing more and hearing what aspects of the past you all want to see.
You should do a series on martial combat across other ancient cultures
Gladiator Sweat in cosmetics is the Roman equivalent of Gamer Girl Bathwater.
"Bro. Remember that episode of the colosseum where that chick was raped by a donkey and then eaten by lions?"
"Yeah man. That was a good episode. The organizers really out did themselves and the performance of the participants was really captivating"
I thought the murderess Locusta (who was Emperor Nero's mistress) got raped by a giraffe
I honestly can't imagine how fucked up that would be to be in an arena full of people watching that. Romans were crazy as fuck sometimes.
When he mentioned that one I really had to just pause it for a moment. Like wtf, I get that she murdered someone but Jesus, it’s still horrific.
I'm very interested in the ticketing aspect of this. I wonder if there's record about people conterfeiting tickets and the measures taken for that tonnot happen
They did fake tickets back then I know for sure but dont have any other details.
I love this channel. One of the most informative and well researched channels I’ve ever experienced
I remember my history teacher showed us the Colosseum scene from Gladiator for his lesson on Roman Games.
He told us "there will be some historical inaccuracies we'll discuss later but with that scene, you'll have a good enough feeling of "how it was like to be there!"
I am really glad you took this route after the poll. This is the one video I am heading into without a lick of knowledge despite having read a few hundred book on Republic, Imperium and decline.
That's why I love that channel.
You're the only one I know focusing on the everyday life of the commoner.
your one of the best history youtubers,love your channel man💪
This was a real insight to what the Coliseum games were like. Great job Invicta.
Yeah.. even more horrific than I thought, like seriously? raping a woman with a damn donkey then getting lions to devour both of them..
@@EL-oj6uq---Graphic is how I would describe so many of these games. But your right about the woman being raped before being devoured. That was indeed horrific.
30 seconds in and I'm hooked for a perspective I had not imagined. Well done 👏
Love your channel Invicta, keep up your great work.
Thanks!!! Super happy to be able to make this kind of content for you all!
Pottery breaks into 'sherds' and glass breaks into 'shards'.
The fact they had someone carefully write the information onto all the ticket-sherds is amazing. Can you imagine how dreary that job would be?!
"I have gotten a job as a scribe! Oh no . . . "
Amazing. Fantastic work yet again. This was truly eye opening. Thank you so much for such great content
This is so cool. It’s insane how much the ancient Romans were modern like us. Ticket prices were better back then I’m sure😂
Admission was free.
@@psychokinrazalon bread and games
Rome was just as modern as us. We simply play by different rules and games. Humanity hasn't changed its stripes just its expression of civilization.
Creating a 80.000 spectators stadium at a time were human population was only a tiny fraction of today's..... it's like making a stadium today that can accommodate 1 million people plus: insane!
Your work keeps getting better and better. This was awesome.
Absolutely love and appreciate all your absolutely incredible information filled simply amazing videos this one included. Hope yall have a great Christmas and know ur content is top tear quality and appreciated
*_Invicta, Kings & Generals, Armchair Historian, Hisoria Civilis, and Sandroman._* You have taught me MORE than school ever COULD !!!
Now a day,teacher far more interest in brain washing that teaching .
Absolutely amazing channel and a top quality video no doubt!
Another great video. One of the best channels on UA-cam.
Amazing information ! especially about the prize catapults, I visited the colosseum 2 weeks ago it was truly amazing!
I find it an amazing contrast that the romans were capable of insanely compleax feats of logistics that would be a huge effort even in modern times, yet they would also expend as much energy into writing on tablets to curse people. Always makes me chuckle for some reason
It still happens today, but the choice of words is a bit different
Nothing short of fascinating! Very informative. Thanks!
I just stumbled upon this channel. I have a greater interest in history (actually been to the Colosseum). Love the form factor of your videos. Instant subscriber!
Thanks for all the effort put into bringing us these awesome docos
This is so beautiful. Got my ticket, ready to walk into the Arena for the first time.
Awesome video idea! Fun :D
Great video. This would definitely be a top spot for time traveling
I really love this one! I might use some of the information for my fictional story. :)
Amazing video! I never knew there were so many similarities from back then.
Great video. Would be great to zip back in time & spend a day at the games 😌💭
I don't know which animation is better, prude woman with child (16:00 21:00) or man pointing in amazement (or sheer terror) from your previous vid.
Also, glad to see this hilarious animation back from what...6-12 months ago?
We try to put out at least 1-2 "How they did it" videos per month, actually!
Well done! That was very immersive and interesting!
It says something about the human experience that in 2000 years a concert is virtually the exact same.
They didn't buy tickets. The games were always free of charge. At least most of the time. Regardless, this description of an event which took place thousands of years ago is the best that I had ever had the pleasure of viewing. There is much to digest and it really gave me a vibe that I was there in person. It's fascinating how modern they were, especially the handing out of prizes.
Very captivating work. 👍
Man, loving these vids. Story time with Oakley 😊 where can I find the day at the games merch?
I've traveled this globe a bit. My state was was admitted into the Union in 1890 so "old" is my high school that was built in 1979. I like really old stuff like I see in Europe and I try and imagine what people were doing hundreds of years ago in places like the old section of Prague for example walking the same streets I'd be on. When the video talks about hearing the crowd yell well outside the Colosseum I've been to sporting events like baseball, American football and professional football games in various countries including my favorite two so far, one at Man City and the other at Ajax. I had to take off a little early from the Man City game which was lopsided anyway and I could hear the crowd singing and yelling for a long way as I went to catch the train to London. I can't imagine aside from the obvious modern versus ancient differences that the emotions and spectacle weren't almost identical.
Great approach! Loved this.
This is truly glorious and immensely gorey
I really like this series!
Just commenting about how I’m glad I got here as fast as I did. These videos are wonderful, and I said it, however, that does not need to be said.
Also, I’ve got nothing to add to this.
Having just visited Rome and the Coloseum last month it was truly something Amazing to see and be inside. Definitely was the highlight of my trip as Ive been a Roman Empire nerd for a long time.
Vine Vide Viche
"I came here, in fact, so I might sit beside you and talk to you. Why are you edging away from me? It's no use, the seat marker forces us to touch. Now. Have you, m'lady, noticed my fetching headwear? Ah, no, you are incorrect in calling it a trilleubus, for it is in fact a fedorus. And I tip it to you, m'lady." - Ovid
"I am, in fact, a super nice guy to all Females, but Females only want bad boy gladiators. Just wait until I catch a winning lottery ticket!"
That whole sequence felt so modern it's bizarre. Humanity really hasn't changed at all in a lot of ways. That is still so completely relatable.
thank you so so much for the content u have no idea how unique u are
Its 915 A.D. for my restored Roman Empire in CK3 and I was thinking about throwing a games event then I get on UA-cam and see this. Great timing
Such an interesting history there is to this building.
This is much like going to a moderm day sporting event, such as a baseball or football game here in the states.
Yet more videos perfect for coming up with stuff for D&D to make things feel more real. :D
Beautiful art for this episode
it's been one year and I just realized that the two elephants at 14:51 are holding trunks
These are some of the best history videos in the history genre. I love seeing daily life. Would it be possible to see what drug usage was like in rome?
Matt, I'm guessing it was pretty common among most social strata as it has been throughout history. But it would be interesting to REALLY know.
@@david9783 No. It seemed to be mostly alcohol.
@@swissmilitischristilxxii3691 Now THAT is interesting. We never hear about that. And I agree, it would be interesting to see a video about how prevalent drugs were, and who used them most.
Been waiting for this.
Also first
watching these everyday lives videos makes me think that, living in Rome during Augustus - Tiberius times was awesome, and more civilized than today
No matter if you were in Egypt or Galia, there was always the chance to enjoy gladiator fights during Roman times
I didn't know they had the equivalant of a T-Shirt Cannon. That's neat!
Very nice perspective!
this is such a good video 👌
I saw the colosseum or what's left of it in 2009. You really could feel the power of the place, you could imagine what it might have felt like being there or about to fight for your survival. The Romans were master builders, much of how they did things is long lost. Sad to see what is now considered Rome, Italians have forgotten they once rule a 2/3 of the known world. Then again let us hope they never remember.
The last time Italy tried to remember its authoritarian heritage, they were incompetent fascists who got stomped on
What an awesome video. Very fun, thabk you. You said that women were often ticketed in the highest levels, but much of your art shows a gender-mixed crowd. Am I missing something? Were women and pleb men in the same rows after all? Or did people sneak about? LOVE these videos, thank you for posting!
I was a bit confused on that as well. I assumed that the more elite women would be able to join their families with the rest in the back. The quote we read was referring to the events of the circus maximus which may have been more mixed.
The quote is specifically about the Circus Maximus (colosseum wasn't built yet), but it's definitely one of those fun situations where men could definitely go higher up if they wanted - but it doesn't seem that women could go further down
@@InvictaHistory i mean it is a long time so things could have changed
Great video, Thanks!
I feel like an entire kick ass TV series could be based around the business of organizing Gladiator events. Imagine Gladiator but without the stock cliche story line and more of a cynical even at times comedic focus on the business, then of course the men fighting for who it is very real. Just would be awesome, but we can't have nice things.
Fabulous video !!!
what a super interesting video. thanks.
Hello friends Thank you for this detailed and pleasant video
Executions during lunch break? That is peak entertainment!
Fantastic video! Liked and subbed
This was great
It wasn’t common for gladiators to be killed in the arena. They were to expensive to replace for most
10 pounds of gold as prize for catching a Sparsion Missillium? That's worth about 5 to 10 years of wages for an average worker ($300k USD). But during Roman times it would be easily over 100 times the average wage. If you had 10 pounds of gold you'd be a rich man. Truly, gold was more valuable in ancient times; today gold isn't valued as much because we use paper money.
Gold is still valued more than fiat paper money lmao. You're a fool
@@deusvult6920 still less valued then back then, that's what he said. What a fool you are
It was worth an elephant I guess
Or 50 cows
I can't believe they had freakin prize catapults. That's so awesome. What sources are there regarding these? because I want to know everything about them! Were people convicted of murder if they killed someone for one??? Would they be executed at the post match show???
Another great video
Would recommend Toldinstone, as he's covered many similar topics and is a fantastic historical channel.
Great video!
Love it.
We visited Rome, in October 1989. The Coliseum was amazing. We also saw Paul McCartney.
Especially the part about gladiators rarely fighting to the death is logical if you think about it, many of them were as priced as the big athletes and sport stars today, if you have a big star who every time he enters the arena draws the eyes and cheers of the crowd and provides an entertaining show every time, even if he loses, then you don't want the golden boy you've put YEARS into to be lost just because he loses one match, like a race horse being slaughtered just because it didn't get 1st place every single time.
Very interesting!